The X Factor Winner 'Not Going For Xmas No 1'

The X Factor winner will not be fighting it out for this year's Christmas No 1 on the Official UK Singles Chart, it has been revealed.

Instead the winner's single will be released just hours after the winner is announced in the live final at Wembley Arena - which is expected to fall on 9 December.

But Martin Talbot, managing director of The Official Charts Company, suggested that the record could still be in the running this year anyway.

He told BBC Newsbeat: "Last year, it meant that Little Mix's debut single Cannonball had its strongest week before the battle for festive No 1 was underway - letting in the Military Wives with Wherever You Are.

"But with rumours that the X Factor finalists' single is also due to be a charity single, that could help it sustain through a second week and right into Christmas - if they get the song and the charitable cause right."